Losing finishing touch
lost Buxton the match

Published:12:00Friday 26 October 2012

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Leicester University 2nd 3, Buxton 2nd 1

With a bare eleven players (no subs), the Seconds lost their first league match of the season against a strong university side. Although only one goal down at half-time, they did miss great chances to draw level and conceded another two before getting a consolation goal with only a few minutes remaining in the match.

With regular central mid-fielders missing, Buxton played an extra man in mid-field using a 4-5-1 system, hoping to keep the home side at bay. It almost worked, but too many loose balls put the defence under pressure and goalie Balderstone was called upon to make several fine saves throughout the match. However, even though the university side went ahead on 12 minutes from a strike near the penalty spot following a right wing cross, the Bucks deserved to draw level – but the final touch was missing.

Soon into the second half, the home team added another after a defensive mix-up, then the match was stopped for five minutes when defender J Clayton was hit on the mouth by the ball, drawing blood, from a powerful clearance by his own goalkeeper. He bravely carried on, as though nothing had happened. Later the defence were out-manoeuvred with an aerial ball into the D giving rise to a third goal.

Buxton did reply towards the end of the game when defender M Lomas dribbled the ball up field and passed to Longden just inside the circle; his first shot was saved but he made no mistake when the rebound was hit home against the backboards.

They lost the second match 0-3, though wingers C Hyland and J Watson showed promise.

Buxton won the last game 1-0 with midfielders A Todd and S Morris becoming more dominant. Striker C Taylor played well throughout the three games and it was his pass to S Morris that secured the winning goal for Sid.